The number of cyclists in Australia is growing rapidly and so, too, the war with angry drivers, the number of cyclist deaths and the calls for a solution.

Australia was well represented in this women's race at the Olympics in 2000 and no wonder, as cycling is surging in the country.But the increase in popularity has been accompanied by soaring accident rates and 50 cyclist deaths in the country last year.

By:Bloomberg, Published on Sat Aug 02 2014

The force of the collision launched cyclist Hans Dean onto the car’s windscreen and hurled him to the ground, his spine broken and face so bloodied he could barely see. The Sydney rider is thankful he’s alive.

Cyclist deaths jumped to a 16-year high across Australia last year and doubled in New South Wales, the most populous state. In Sydney, renowned worldwide for its harbour bridge and beaches yet criticized by locals for inadequate public transport, motorists and cyclists are locked in a cultural clash and a competition for space on crowded roads.

“It’s definitely at breaking point,” said Dean, 48, whose back is splinted with metal rods after the March 16 crash near Sydney’s airport that hospitalized all seven riders in his group. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

With the motorist charged over the collision appearing in court Saturday, cycling groups are campaigning for legislation to compel drivers to leave at least a 1-metre gap when passing. The state government is instead considering becoming the first in Australia to force riders to obtain a licence.

Tired of being squeezed off roads or hit by soda cans and other objects flung by motorists, many cyclists complain they are being intentionally targeted by a minority of drivers.

“I don’t think the government is aware of what’s actually going on,” said Frank Conceicao, 62, the former manager of Australia’s national cycling team who now runs the Albion Cycles store in eastern Sydney. “We’re just waiting for someone else to die before they do something.”

Nationwide, cyclist deaths surged 52 per cent to 50 last year, the government-backed Australian Bicycle Council said. In New South Wales, the toll of 14 was the highest since 2007 and eight more have died so far this year, according to the state government.

In Sydney, where more than half of a planned 200-kilometre network of cycle lanes is complete, the number of riders has more than doubled in three years, according to the City of Sydney council.

The 27- year-old motorist in the collision with Dean who was charged with offences including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, didn’t enter a plea and was scheduled to reappear on Sept. 16.

Cyclists also need to learn to share the road, Kyle Loades, president of the Sydney-based National Roads & Motorists’ Association, said by phone.

“It’s not one side that’s at fault,” said Loades, who represents 2.4 million members. “There’s a small minority of drivers and cyclists who perpetuate the ‘us-versus-them’ mentality. Most of the time, the right thing is being done.”

Some elements of Australia’s media have inflamed the standoff.

Journalist and broadcaster Derryn Hinch last year described riders who flaunt road rules as “cockroaches on wheels.” In May, a column in Sydney’s Sunday Telegraph criticized the erratic behaviour of some cyclists and said they should be grateful motorists go out of their way to avoid them.

“Let’s stop labelling,” said Bartho. “We’re not just motorists and we’re not just cyclists. Those people are our husbands, our wives, our sons and our daughters. We have to show mutual respect.”

Like many riders, Bartho said a licensing program — currently being assessed by the New South Wales government — would be a costly deterrent to cycling, and “a distraction from the real issues.”

There are now so many cyclists in Australia that their interests can no longer be ignored, said Rob Berry, general manager of BikeWise, which offers cycling skills courses in Sydney. About 3.6 million people, or 17 per cent of the population, ride a bike in Australia each week, according to last year’s National Cycling Participation Survey.

“The big message is cycle graciously,” said Berry, 28, who racks up more than 12,000 kilometres by bike every year.

Hans Dean, who still runs his own business specializing in property taxation, says his accident made some fellow cyclists question the benefits of the sport. He now wants to see a forum set up for all road users to find common ground.

Meantime, on his way to his next physiotherapy session, he’s staying positive.